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Count Everest sits in the chair of his study, reading over the reports given to him from the previous day about the conflict with Necrophitus’ forces.  After finishing his reading, he sets the papers down, leaving four reports at the front titled, “Marill’s Inevitable Rot, Relthin Vey’Nurios, Laveska, Demonologist Sightings”.

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The Count turns to the guard standing by the table and addresses him frankly, “There is work still yet to be done.  The Council did their best to ensure that the pressing threat was dealt with, now it is time to clean up the rest.  Go now, inform them they have whatever resources they need to resolve these problems, and give rest to those who need it.  They have done well, and the heroes have prevailed.   See this done, Guardsman.”

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Without a word, the guard scoops up the four reports and quickly steps out of the study and off to complete his task.

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* * * * * * * * *

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At the top of a decrepit stone tower in a sinister keep on a particular mountain of quartz rock, a wraith-like figure looms about a dismal room of dusty tomes and eldritch magic, preparing a ritual circle at its center.  The figure turns around with an orb of supernatural horror forming in its hand as he turns his gaze to see a creature standing before him.  The creature, a stone statuesque figure of quartz and magic, relaxes itself even in the face of the greatest lich ever to exist.  Necrophitus lowers his hand, dispelling the magic, puzzling together the meaning of this meeting in rapid thought as his low ethereal voice quietly emanates from the void of his being, “I see you have returned…”

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Nurremuralias replies in a twinkling crystal tone, “I have.”

“Which means Tal’vox has-”

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“Yes, it does.”

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“Then I will simply reani-”

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“No. Your teacher, Corsair, ensured you will not.”

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“Well then, you should be on your way, Nurremuralias.”

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The quartz creature steps about the room half way, glancing down at the ritual circle, and then back to the Eidolich, and then pauses before turning away while a brilliant aurora light surrounds its body.  As Nurremuralias fades from sight, its voice echoes in the room, “Your time is growing shorter and they will be coming for you soon.  You know how this must end, and no amount of dreaming of stars will change the course of events to come.  They are coming for you.”

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Undead creatures from outside the tower turn their heads towards it as the howl of frustration and rage at such a devastating blow erupt from the open windows.  Necrophitus’ rage is only cut short by a vicious explosion from within as he purposefully fails the ritual, and descends the tower back into the halls of the Academy.

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General Tal’vox has fallen… 

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…and Necrophitus Arcane is next.